Did you know that in 1967 Stetson students held a “smoke-in” to protest a ban against the sale of cigarettes on campus? Approximately 250 Hatters attended the smoke-in hosted by two Student Government senators. Attendees enjoyed free cigarettes and folk music, creating such an odd scene that the event gained national publicity in the Associated Press.  

Also, did you know that a large wooden World War II memorial plaque hangs in Elizabeth Hall, placed on a hallway wall in 1945 to honor the students and faculty who left Stetson to answer the call to fight? As a result, the Stetson Veterans Database was recently created and is available for anyone to use.

Those are just two of many questions answered in Stetson 150 Project — a student-driven effort to explore the university’s hidden history.

The project is now live online and with plans to continue.

“This is the result of a year of research, writing, oral histories, thinking about how to present history publicly and, finally, designing a website,” said Professor of History Mayhill Fowler, PhD, faculty advisor on the project. “It’s precisely what we want with Hatter Ready. The students have learned so much, and have gained skills they will use in their careers — both want to go into library and archives work.”

In 2033, Stetson will celebrate its 150th anniversary. As a part of that celebration, the Department of History teamed up with the duPont-Ball Library to tell uncommon stories. Going forward, each semester a small group of students will research any topic of the university’s past and tell that story. The Omeka site (free, flexible and open-source online platform), built with the help of the library, will house the evolving collection of oral histories, archival documents and articles.

This academic year, with assists from several other students, credit for the initial work goes largely to Class of 2026 students Reagan Shivers (graduating in May) and Benjamin Miyazato (graduating in December), in collaboration with Assistant Professor Mike Wells, Web Services and Research Librarian.

Plans for the future? The hope is that during Homecoming this fall, Oct. 16-18, alumni will contribute more oral histories of their time at Stetson, as new students become involved under the direction of incoming faculty advisor Jacob Walters, PhD.

Editor’s note: This story is an update from Uncovering History for the Stetson 150 Project, Oct. 30, 2025.